Meet Ashley Kies, a junior at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven studying secondary education social studies, and the 2024 winner of the award for Distinguished Work in the Advancement of Women’s Issues (DWAWI).
This year’s recipient comes from Mahanoy City, Pa. She is involved in TRIO SSS, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies (LHUPCSS), President’s Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), and volunteers 10 hours a week at the Lock Haven Catholic School, working primarily with grades 3 and 5.
Transforming Personal Struggle to Advocacy: Kies’s Journey
Raised by a single father of four, Kies vividly recalls the challenges she and her twin sister faced due to their inability to afford period products during their high school years.
“I remember once my brother and dad had to pull their last couple of dollars to get us products, but I went without for a couple of days,” Kies said.
Through her lived experiences and her time as a peer mentor, she witnessed firsthand the widespread struggles among students facing similar challenges.
“I wanted the period poverty campaign to be campus-wide with multiple clubs and organizations helping to fill baskets. It’s an issue that affects us all,” Kies said.
“PCSW has teamed up with a student group—founded about five years ago—which is an offshoot of a national group, the Period Poverty Project. This year, the PCSW was awarded a DEI mini-grant that has helped us to acquire products to place in campus restrooms,” said Nicole Burkholder-Mosco, professor of English and co-director of women, gender, & sexuality studies program.
Kies, who has led the Period Poverty Project at Lock Haven since January, has been essential in increasing accessibility to menstrual products and securing grants to continue providing them.
“The work she does makes a real difference in the lives of people in our community,” Burkholder said.
Kies persevered despite facing numerous challenges, including a lack of participation and overwhelming personal commitments.
However, with the support of allies like Marianne Guinter, program coordinator of TRIO SSS, and collaborations with the social work department, the multicultural center, and the Hope Center, Kies expanded the reach of LHUPCSS, securing grant funding and engaging students through educational initiatives.
One of Kies’s proudest accomplishments is the expansion of period baskets across campus to residential halls and support buildings. Her dedication also earned her recognition, including a $500 grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW PA), and opportunities to address women’s issues in academic settings.
Distinguished Work in the Advancement of Women’s Issues Award
In its 26th year of celebration, the DWAWI Award is presented by the PCSW at CU–Lock Haven’s annual “Let Her Voice Be Heard” event on Thursday, March 28.
“The award recognizes what is often the quiet, behind-the-scenes work being done for women in our community,” Burkholder said. “Nominators are asked to address how the candidate serves the campus and community to advance women’s issues; how the candidate strives to ensure equality for women in aspects of campus and community life; how the candidate highlights the accomplishments of women in our community; and how the candidate helps to expand educational or professional opportunities for women on campus and in the community.”
Since its inception 26 years ago, its purpose has been to bring attention to the ongoing work for women’s equality.
“The goal hasn’t changed,” said Burkholder. “We still find the need for advocacy on a whole slew of issues, and it’s the consistent attention of those in our community that makes a real difference in the experience for students, staff, faculty, coaches, and administrators on our campus.”
Future visions and Aspirations
Looking ahead, Kies envisions a future where gender equality is the norm, where periods are destigmatized, and where access to period products is a basic right.
“My goal is to have the university supply period products in one of those dispensing machines,” Kies said. “I also hope that we can get more participation from students in their freshman or sophomore year.”
Beyond graduation, Kies intends to continue her advocacy journey by incorporating her experiences into her teaching career and pursuing a master’s degree in social work to further support women’s rights, focusing on combating sexual assault or advocating for healthcare equity.
